Summary: A devastating explosion during Friday prayers at a mosque in South Waziristan injured four individuals, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) district chief Maulana Abdullah Nadeem. The blast, caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) hidden in the pulpit, is under investigation, with no group yet claiming responsibility. Mosques in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been frequently targeted during Friday prayers.
Details: A powerful bomb explosion struck a mosque in South Waziristan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during Friday prayers, leaving four worshippers injured, including JUI district chief Maulana Abdullah Nadeem.
As per reports, the blast took place at around 1:45 PM local time at the Maulana Abdul Aziz Mosque on Azam Warsak Bypass Road. District Police Officer (DPO) Asif Bahader confirmed that the explosive device had been discreetly placed inside the mosque’s pulpit.
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“In the explosion, JUI district chief Abdullah Nadeem sustained serious injuries, while three others—identified as Rehmanullah, Mullah Noor, and Shah Behran—suffered minor wounds,” Bahader stated. All injured individuals were promptly transported to the district headquarters hospital in Wana for medical attention.
Law enforcement agencies swiftly arrived at the scene to secure the area and launch an investigation. Authorities are actively collecting evidence to determine the perpetrators behind the attack.
Security concerns regarding mosque attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been mounting, particularly during Friday congregational prayers. Similar incidents in recent months have raised alarm.
Last month, a suicide bombing at the Darul Uloom Haqqania seminary in Nowshera claimed six lives, including JUI-S leader Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani, and left 15 others injured.
A more devastating attack on January 30, 2023, saw a suicide bomber detonate explosives inside a mosque in Peshawar’s Police Lines area, resulting in the deaths of at least 101 people, mostly police officers, and injuring 157 others.
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In 2022, another suicide bombing at Jamia Masjid Koocha Risaldar in Peshawar’s old city targeted worshippers during Friday prayers. The assailant first opened fire on police personnel at the mosque’s entrance before setting off the explosives inside the prayer hall.
Authorities in South Waziristan continue to investigate the latest attack, but no organization has yet taken responsibility. The surge in violent incidents targeting religious sites in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remains a pressing concern for security officials and residents alike.